The present invention relates generally to the field of emissions control and, in particular to a new and useful method and/or system by which to control, treat and/or mitigate various liquid-based acidic compounds that are produced during oxy-combustion (e.g., during a compression step and/or cooling step) from various gaseous acid compounds and/or gaseous acid precursor compounds (e.g., SOx, NOx, etc.). In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and/or system by which such one or more liquid-based acid compounds are recycled into the flue gases and/or into one or more of the emissions control and/or flue gas treatment equipment of an oxy-combustion power generation system.
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1. A method for treating one or more acidic compounds generated during an oxy-combustion process, the method comprising the steps of:
(i) generating a flue gas stream as a result of the oxy-combustion of at least one carbonaceous fuel, wherein the flue gas stream contains at least one type of gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound;
(ii) treating the flue gas stream to remove at least a portion of at least one gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound present therein via the use of at least one flue gas treatment device;
(iii) subjecting at least a portion of the flue gas stream from Step (ii) to at least one compression step and/or cooling step so as to remove at least one additional gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound present therein, wherein the compression step and/or cooling step yields a liquid-based acidic waste stream generated as a result of the removal of the at least one additional gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound and an acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream;
(iv) recycling at least a portion of the liquid-based acidic waste stream to the at least one flue gas treatment device of Step (ii) for treatment, or neutralization, therein; and
(v) subjecting the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to carbon dioxide recovery so as to recover a majority of the carbon dioxide present in the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream prior to the release of a portion of the remaining acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to the atmosphere.
11. A method for treating one or more acidic compounds generated during an oxy-combustion process, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) generating a flue gas stream as a result of the oxy-combustion of at least one carbonaceous fuel, wherein the flue gas stream contains at least one type of gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound;
(b) treating the flue gas stream to remove at least a portion of at least one gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound present therein via the use of at least one flue gas treatment device;
(c) subjecting at least a portion of the flue gas stream from Step (b) to at least one compression step and/or cooling step so as to remove at least one additional gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound, present therein, wherein the compression step and/or cooling step yields a liquid-based acidic waste stream generated as a result of the removal of the at least one additional gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound and an acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream;
(d) recycling at least a portion of the liquid-based acidic waste stream to the at least one flue gas treatment device of Step (b) for treatment, or neutralization, therein;
(e) subjecting the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to at least one additional emissions control and/or flue gas treatment technology; and
(f) subjecting the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to carbon dioxide recovery so as to recover a majority of the carbon dioxide present in the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream prior to the release of a portion of the remaining acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to the atmosphere.
21. A method for treating one or more acidic compounds generated during an oxy-combustion process, the method comprising the steps of:
(I) generating a flue gas stream as a result of the oxy-combustion of at least one carbonaceous fuel, wherein the flue gas stream contains at least one type of gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound;
(II) treating the flue gas stream to remove at least a portion of at least one gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound present therein via the use of at least one flue gas treatment device;
(III) subjecting the flue gas stream from Step (II) to at least one compression step and/or cooling step so as to remove at least one additional gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound present therein, wherein the compression step and/or cooling step yields a liquid-based acidic waste stream generated as a result of the removal of the at least one gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound and an acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream;
(IV) recycling at least a portion of the liquid-based acidic waste stream to the at least one flue gas treatment device of Step (II) for treatment, or neutralization, therein;
(V) subjecting the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to at least one additional emissions control and/or flue gas treatment technology; and
(VI) subjecting the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to carbon dioxide recovery so as to recover a majority of the carbon dioxide present in the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream prior to the release of a portion of the remaining acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to the atmosphere,
wherein the liquid-based acidic waste stream is split into at least two liquid-based acidic waste streams, a portion of each split liquid-based waste stream then being subjected to recycling in the at least one flue gas treatment device of Step (II) for treatment, or neutralization, therein.
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This patent application claims priority to and is a non-provisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/665,886 filed Jun. 28, 2012 and titled “Method for Controlling Acidic Compounds Produced from Oxy-Combustion Processes.” The complete text of this patent application is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of emissions control and, in particular to a new and useful method and/or system by which to control, treat and/or mitigate various liquid-based acidic compounds that are produced during one or more post-combustion phases, or post-combustion processes, of oxy-combustion (e.g., during a compression step and/or cooling step) from various gaseous acid compounds and/or gaseous acid precursor compounds (e.g., SOx, NOx, etc.). In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and/or system by which such one or more liquid-based acid compounds are recycled into the flue gases and/or into one or more of the emissions control and/or flue gas treatment equipment of an oxy-combustion power generation system.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is well known, the use of coal for the generation of power has various drawbacks. One such drawback is the creation of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas emission, a gas that many believe adds to the growing problem of global warming. In light of this various technologies have been developed to employ carbon capture, utilization or storage (CCUS) as one way to address global climate concerns. In connection with such concerns various technologies for carbon capture have been investigated including oxy-combustion.
As known to those of skill in the art, oxy-fuel combustion (or oxy-combustion) is the process of burning a fuel using an oxidant with less nitrogen than atmospheric air (e.g., a combination of flue gas and oxygen, pure oxygen, or a combination of oxygen and one or more inert gases), instead of air, or atmospheric air, as the primary oxidant. Since the nitrogen component of air is either reduced, or not present, the nitrogen component of the air is either not converted to nitrogen oxides, or in the case of total oxy-combustion not present to be heated.
In the field of power generation research has turned to the use of oxy-combustion for power generation using one or more fossil fuels, or carbonaceous fuels, as the combustion fuel. There is currently research being done in firing fossil-fueled power plants with a nitrogen-depleted gas, or gas mixture, instead of air. In one such proposed process, almost all of the nitrogen is removed from input air, yielding a stream that is approximately 95 percent oxygen and subsequently mixed with, for example, re-circulated flue gas. Firing with pure oxygen can in some circumstances result in too high a flame temperature, so the mixture is diluted by mixing with recycled flue gas. The recycled flue gas (RFG) can also be used to carry fuel into the boiler and to ensure adequate convective heat transfer. Oxy-fuel combustion produces approximately 75 percent less flue gas than air fueled combustion and produces exhaust consisting primarily of CO2 and H2O.
The justification for using oxy-fueled combustion, or oxy-combustion, is to produce a CO2 rich flue gas ready for purification, compression and/or sequestration. Oxy-fuel combustion has significant advantages over traditional air-fired plants. Among the non-limiting advantages are: (i) the mass and volume of the products of combustion, which essentially comprise the flue gas leaving the process, are reduced by approximately 75 percent; (ii) the size of the flue gas compression and purification equipment can be reduced by approximately 75 percent; (iii) the flue gas is primarily CO2, suitable for separation and treatment for use or sequestration via, for example, converting the CO2 into a liquid or supercritical fluid; (iv) the concentration of undesirable constituents in the flue gas is much higher, making separation easier within the process; (v) most of the flue gas impurities (e.g., water and acid gaseous) are condensable which makes compression by separation and cooling possible; (vi) heat of compression can be captured and reused rather than lost in the flue gas; and (vii) because the amount of nitrogen contained in the combustion air is either greatly reduced and/or eliminated, nitrogen oxide production is greatly reduced and/or eliminated.
Economically speaking oxy-combustion costs more than traditional air-fired combustion. This is because oxy-combustion relies on decreasing the amount of nitrogen in the combustion air via various techniques thereby resulting in an increase in the percentage of oxygen present or available in the combustion air. The oxygen separation process requires a significant amount of energy leading to an increase in cost that is justified by the savings realized in the flue gas treatment plant (CPU). For example, cryogenic air separation can consume on the order of 15 percent of the electricity produced by a fossil, or carbonaceous, fuel-fired power station. However, various new technologies such as membranes and chemical looping are being developed that can be used to reduce this cost.
In the realm of coal power, oxy-combustion has the possibility to achieve a near-zero emission coal power plant, including CO2. To capture CO2, there is one pre-combustion method known as Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) and two post-combustion-based technology paths: oxy-combustion (as described above) and CO2 scrubbing. Oxy-combustion is applied to the entire plant process, inherently providing near-zero emissions. CO2 scrubbing can be applied to all or part of the plant emissions.
To understand how such low emission levels are achievable, consider the process schematic in
The flue gas leaving the boiler is cleaned using conventional particulate and sulfur removal systems is known to those of skill in the art. Remaining particulate is further filtered in the CPU to protect the compressor systems. Primary and polishing scrubbers are used to reduce sulfur and moisture to required levels in the flue gas prior to recycling of a portion of the flue gas to the boiler and sending the remainder to the CPU. The trace amount of SO2 remaining is removed in the CPU. A NOx removal system (such as an SCR or SNCR) is not required as the remaining combustion-generated NOx is almost completely removed as a condensable in the CPU. Mercury is removed in one or more of the scrubbers and/or CPU. To provide pipeline quality CO2 at the exit of the CPU, a small amount of inert constituents must be removed in the CPU. Small quantities of oxygen, nitrogen and argon present in the oxygen from the ASU (typically 95 percent by volume pure oxygen) and from air in-leakage are vented to the atmosphere, along with a very small amount of some remaining combustion products such as carbon monoxide (CO).
In light of the above, various new emissions issues have arisen in connection with oxy-combustion. For example, various constituents present in the flue gas from oxy-combustion will lead to the generation of various liquid-based acidic compounds when the flue gas is subjected to, for example, compression. For example, a wide range of proposed oxy-combustion processes utilize compression (e.g., wet compression) of the flue gas as a step in rendering the carbon dioxide present in the flue gas suitable for storage (or reuse). During the process of compressing the wet flue gas within the CPU one or more liquid-based acidic compounds are, or will be, generated and will have to be treated and/or disposed of. Additionally, other liquid-based acidic compounds that require treatment can be generated during other phases of oxy-combustion such as water scrubbing, cooling, various adsorption and regeneration processes, etc. In the past such waste streams have been treated in a separate waste treatment process and/or system.
Given the above, a need exists in the art for a method and/or system by which to treat and/or control the liquid-based acidic compounds generated during the various post-combustion stages of an oxy-combustion process without the need for a separate waste treatment process and/or system.
The present invention relates generally to the field of emissions control and, in particular to a new and useful method and/or system by which to control, treat and/or mitigate various liquid-based acidic compounds that are produced during one or more post-combustion phases, or post-combustion processes, of oxy-combustion (e.g., during a compression step and/or cooling step) from various gaseous acid compounds and/or gaseous acid precursor compounds (e.g., SOx, NOx, etc.). In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and/or system by which such one or more liquid-based acid compounds are recycled into the flue gases and/or into one or more of the emissions control and/or flue gas treatment equipment of an oxy-combustion power generation system.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is drawn to a method for treating one or more acidic compounds generated during an oxy-combustion process, the method comprising the steps of: (i) generating a flue gas stream as a result of the oxy-combustion of at least one carbonaceous fuel, wherein the flue gas stream contains at least one type of gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound; (ii) treating the flue gas stream to remove at least a portion of at least one gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound present therein via the use of at least one flue gas treatment device; (iii) subjecting at least a portion of the flue gas stream from Step (ii) to at least one compression step and/or cooling step so as to remove at least one additional gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound present therein, wherein the compression step and/or cooling step yields a liquid-based acidic waste stream generated as a result of the removal of the at least one additional gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound and an acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream; (iv) recycling at least a portion of the liquid-based acidic waste stream to the at least one flue gas treatment device of Step (ii) for treatment, or neutralization, therein; and (v) subjecting the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to carbon dioxide recovery so as to recover a majority of the carbon dioxide present in the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream prior to the release of a portion of the remaining acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to the atmosphere.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating one or more acidic compounds generated during an oxy-combustion process, the method comprising the steps of: (a) generating a flue gas stream as a result of the oxy-combustion of at least one carbonaceous fuel, wherein the flue gas stream contains at least one type of gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound; (b) treating the flue gas stream to remove at least a portion of at least one gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound present therein via the use of at least one flue gas treatment device; (c) subjecting at least a portion of the flue gas stream from Step (b) to at least one compression step and/or cooling step so as to remove at least one additional gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound, present therein, wherein the compression step and/or cooling step yields a liquid-based acidic waste stream generated as a result of the removal of the at least one additional gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound and an acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream; (d) recycling at least a portion of the liquid-based acidic waste stream to the at least one flue gas treatment device of Step (b) for treatment, or neutralization, therein; (e) subjecting the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to at least one additional emissions control and/or flue gas treatment technology; and (f) subjecting the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to carbon dioxide recovery so as to recover a majority of the carbon dioxide present in the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream prior to the release of a portion of the remaining acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to the atmosphere.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for treating one or more acidic compounds generated during an oxy-combustion process, the method comprising the steps of: (I) generating a flue gas stream as a result of the oxy-combustion of at least one carbonaceous fuel, wherein the flue gas stream contains at least one type of gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound; (II) treating the flue gas stream to remove at least a portion of at least one gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound present therein via the use of at least one flue gas treatment device; (III) subjecting the flue gas stream from Step (II) to at least one compression step and/or cooling step so as to remove at least one additional gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound present therein, wherein the compression step and/or cooling step yields a liquid-based acidic waste stream generated as a result of the removal of the at least one gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound and an acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream; (IV) recycling at least a portion of the liquid-based acidic waste stream to the at least one flue gas treatment device of Step (II) for treatment, or neutralization, therein; (V) subjecting the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to at least one additional emissions control and/or flue gas treatment technology; and (VI) subjecting the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to carbon dioxide recovery so as to recover a majority of the carbon dioxide present in the acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream prior to the release of a portion of the remaining acid-depleted, or acid-lean, flue gas stream to the atmosphere, wherein the liquid-based acidic waste stream is split into at least two liquid-based acidic waste streams, a portion of each split liquid-based waste stream then being subjected to recycling in the at least one flue gas treatment device of Step (II) for treatment, or neutralization, therein.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for oxy-combustion as shown and described herein, the method including the step of recycling at least one liquid-based acidic waste stream generated during some portion of the overall oxy-combustion process for treatment in the oxy-combustion process.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for oxy-combustion as shown and described herein, the system including recycling at least one liquid-based acidic waste stream generated during some portion of the overall oxy-combustion process for treatment in the oxy-combustion process.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific benefits attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
As used herein, the term “emissions” is to be broadly construed to include both gaseous combustion emissions, as well as liquid or other emissions that are generated during various process that are used to treat, or clean, the resulting combustion flue gases. Furthermore, while the present invention will be described in terms oxy-combustion, the present invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the method and/or system of the present invention can be utilized in any situation where the need presents itself to treat and/or remove liquid-based acidic compounds that are generated from various gaseous acid wastes and/or gaseous acid precursor wastes (e.g., SOx, NOx, etc.) that have been subjected to condensation to yield the one or more liquid-based acid compounds and/or acidic waste water from a flue gas.
As noted above, the present invention relates generally to the field of emissions control and, in particular to a new and useful method and/or system by which to control, treat and/or mitigate various liquid-based acidic compounds that are produced during oxy-combustion (e.g., during a compression step and/or cooling step) from various gaseous acid compounds and/or gaseous acid precursor compounds (e.g., SOx, NOx, etc.). In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method and/or system by which such one or more liquid-based acid compounds are recycled into the flue gases and/or into one or more of the emissions control and/or flue gas treatment equipment of an oxy-combustion power generation system.
Turning to
In still another embodiment, the oxidant, input gas, or combustion fuel gas for oxy-combustion process 102 contains more than about 22 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 25 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 30 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 35 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 40 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 45 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 50 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 55 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 60 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 65 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 70 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 75 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 80 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 85 percent by volume oxygen, more than about 90 percent by volume oxygen, or even more than about 90 percent by volume oxygen, with the remainder of the gas stream being a primarily combination of carbon dioxide and water. Here, as well as elsewhere in the specification and claims, individual numerical values and/or range limits can be combined to form new and/or undisclosed ranges.
The flue gases produced by any suitable oxy-combustion process 102 are conveyed by flue gas ducting 104 to flue gas treatment 106 where one or more substances in the combustion flue gases are removed. As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, flue gas ducting 104, and for that matter any flue gas ducting of the present invention, can be formed from any suitable material known to those of skill in the art. Such materials include, but are not limited to, metal ducting, metal alloy ducting, etc.
The compounds removed from the flue gas during emissions control and/or flue gas treatment can include, but are not limited to, at least one of SOx (e.g., SO2, SO3, etc.), NOx, and/or one or more particulates. In some embodiments, as would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, the amount of NOx (e.g., NO, NO2, N2O4, N2O5, etc.) to remove may not necessitate one or more NOx control systems as oxy-combustion processes inherently minimize NOx production to a point where, in combination with the CPU, NOx removal may not be, or is not, needed. As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, SOx removal can be accomplished utilizing any suitable SOx removal technology. Suitable SOx removal technologies include, but are not limited to, wet flue gas desulfurization processes, dry flue gas desulfurization processes, spray-dry scrubbing processes, wet sulfuric acid processes designed to recover commercial quality sulfuric acid, SNOX flue gas desulfurization processes that are designed to remove sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulates from flue gases, direct contact cooler-polishing scrubber (DCCPS), or a combination of any two or more thereof.
In one embodiment, any suitable particulate removal and/or collection process can be utilized to reduce and/or eliminate the amount of particulate matter in the flue gas during the flue gas treatment portion of the present invention. As would be appreciated by those of skill in the art, suitable particulate control processes include, but are not limited to, electrostatic precipitator (ESP), bag houses, or any combination thereof.
After completion of the one or more flue gas treatment processes (e.g., emissions control processes such a SOx scrubbing, particulate collection, mercury removal, etc.) in section 106 the now cleaned flue gas is delivered via flue gas duct 108 to one or more filtration and primary compression units 110. The one or more filtration and primary compression units 110 are designed to begin to treat the flue gas for eventual carbon dioxide recovery and/or capture. Alternatively, in another embodiment the one or more filtration and primary compression units 110 can eliminated and replaced by a system that pressurizes the flue gas so as to make the flue suitable for further processing to achieve eventual carbon dioxide recovery and/or capture. Thus, in one embodiment section 110 of
In the one or more exemplary wet compression units 114 at least about 25 percent by weight of each of the individual one or more gaseous acid compounds and/or one or more gaseous acid precursor compounds present in the flue gas stream are removed from the flue gas stream. In another embodiment, at least about 30 percent by weight, at least about 40 percent by weight, or at least about 50 percent by weight, or at least about 60 percent by weight, or at least about 70 percent by weight, or at least about 75 percent by weight, or at least about 80 percent by weight, or at least about 85 percent by weight, or at least about 90 percent by weight, or at least about 95 percent by weight, or even at least about 98 percent by weight or more of the one or more gaseous acid compounds and/or one or more gaseous acid precursor compounds present in the flue gas stream are removed from the flue gas stream. As noted above, the removal level for each individual gaseous acid compound and/or gaseous acid precursor compound can, in one instance, vary independently from any one or more other gaseous acid compounds and/or one or more gaseous acid precursor compounds present in the flue gas stream. In another embodiment, the removal level for all of the gaseous acid compounds, or one or more gaseous acid precursor compounds, present in the flue gas stream is approximately the same. Here, as well as elsewhere in the specification and claims, individual numerical values and/or range limits can be combined to form new and/or undisclosed ranges. In still another embodiment, all, or 100 percent, of any gaseous acid compounds and/or gaseous acid precursor compounds are removed from the flue gas stream during the wet compression process.
Due to the presence of water in the wet compression process conducted in the one or more wet compression units 114, at least one liquid-based acidic waste, or acidic waste, stream is generated. Previously such waste stream had to be sent to waste water treatment where the acidic nature of the waste stream from the one or more wet compression units 114 was neutralized utilizing any one of a number of waste water treatment processes known to those of skill in the art. However, the present invention is advantageous in that it permits recycling of the acidic waste stream from the one or more wet compression units 114 via conduit, pipe, or other transport media 128 to any one or more basic flue gas treatment processes that are present. As would be apparent to those of skill in the art, conduit 128 is not limited to any one structure. Rather, any suitable structure, or method of transport, can be utilized so long as such structure, or method of transport, is designed to safely and economically transport an acidic waste stream, a liquid-based acidic waste stream and/or a highly acidic liquid-based waste. It should be noted that, in the specification and claims, the terms acidic waste stream, liquid-based acidic waste stream and/or highly acidic liquid-based waste are used interchangeably even though such terms have slightly different meanings.
In one embodiment, conduit/pipe 128 supplies at least a portion of the liquid-based acidic waste stream to at least one of the SOx scrubbers upstream in emissions control section 106. In one embodiment, at least about 25 percent by weight of the acidic waste stream from the one or more compression units 114 is/are treated in the one or more SOx scrubbers of emissions control section 106. In another embodiment, at least about 30 percent by weight, at least about 40 percent by weight, at least about 50 percent by weight, or at least about 60 percent by weight, or at least about 70 percent by weight, or at least about 75 percent by weight, or at least about 80 percent by weight, or at least about 85 percent by weight, or at least about 90 percent by weight, or at least about 95 percent by weight, or even at least about 98 percent by weight or more of the acidic waste stream from the one or more compression units 114 is/are treated in the one or more SOx scrubbers of emissions control section 106. As noted above, the pH range of the acidic waste stream in conduit/pipe 128 is in the range of about −1 to about 3.5, or from about −0.5 to about 3, or even from about 0 to about 3. Here, as well as elsewhere in the specification and claims, individual numerical values and/or range limits can be combined to form new and/or undisclosed ranges. Depending upon the pH of the acidic waste stream contained in conduit/pipe 128 the amount of material utilized in the one or more SOx scrubbers of emissions control section 106 may have to be increased. For example, the amount of limestone, lime, sodium bicarbonate, or other alkaline reagent that is used to neutralize SOx in the one or more scrubbers of emissions control section 106 may have to be increased in order to achieve the desired neutralization of the acidic waste stream that is recycled to the one or more SOx scrubbers via conduit/pipe 128. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to any one specific alkaline reagent, or type of SOx scrubber. Rather, an acidic waste stream from the one or more compression units 114 (e.g., wet compression units) can be supplied to any suitable type of SOx scrubber in emissions control section 106 so long as such scrubbers are capable of being designed to handle an increased acidic load in the form of a liquid-based and/or gas-based acidic material.
Turning to the remainder of
During treatment in cold box section 122, the bulk of the carbon dioxide in the flue gas stream is separated from the other gaseous components present in the flue gas stream by condensation to liquid form. Other gaseous components at this stage include, but are not limited to, argon gas, oxygen gas, nitrogen gas, or mixtures of any two or more thereof. The bulk of the carbon dioxide in the flue gas stream prior to entry into cold box section 122 is then converted into suitable state for carbon transport and use or sequestration. Regarding the amount of carbon dioxide removed from flue gas stream in cold box section 122 of carbon capture, the amount of the carbon dioxide removed is at least about 50 percent by weight of the total carbon dioxide present in the flue gas stream prior to entry into cold box section 122. In another embodiment, the amount of carbon dioxide that is removed for later sequestration or industrial usage is at least about 60 percent by weight, or at least about 70 percent by weight, or at least about 80 percent by weight, or at least about 85 percent by weight, or at least about 90 percent by weight, or at least about 95 percent by weight, or at least about 98 percent by weight or more the total carbon dioxide present in the flue gas stream prior to entry into cold box section 122. Here, as well as elsewhere in the specification and claims, individual numerical values and/or range limits can be combined to form new and/or undisclosed ranges.
Next, the liquid carbon dioxide is pumped, further condensed, and/or pressurized in the carbon dioxide compression, condensation and pumping section 126 (also known as a compression purification unit (CPU)) so that the carbon dioxide is ready for transport, use, and/or sequestration. The remaining non-condensable gases are sent to a vent. As noted above, at this point the gas supplied to section 126 is highly enriched with carbon dioxide and contain little to no acid gases, nitrogen, oxygen argon, air, etc. In one embodiment, the gas supplied to section 126 is at least about 80 percent by weight carbon dioxide, at least about 85 percent by weight carbon dioxide, at least about 90 percent by weight carbon dioxide, at least about 95 percent by weight carbon dioxide, or at least about 98 percent by weight carbon dioxide, or even 100 percent carbon dioxide. Here, as well as elsewhere in the specification and claims, individual numerical values and/or range limits can be combined to form new and/or undisclosed ranges.
The remaining non-condensable flue gases from cold box section 122 are then transported via flue gas duct 132 and further processed as need be and released to the atmosphere via any suitable method. It should be noted that due to the amount of material removed prior to emission of the remainder of the flue gas stream out of the “stack” at least about 50 percent by volume of the flue gas stream created by the oxy-combustion process is captured and removed prior to any flue gas emissions to the outside atmosphere. In another embodiment, at least about 60 percent by volume, at least about 70 percent by volume, at least about 75 percent by volume, at least about 80 percent by volume, or at least about 85 percent by volume or more of the original flue gas stream is removed prior to emission of any flue gas to the outside atmosphere. Here, as well as elsewhere in the specification and claims, individual numerical values and/or range limits can be combined to form new and/or undisclosed ranges.
In another embodiment, any remaining gaseous acid compounds and/or gaseous acid precursor compounds in the flue gas stream, or gas stream, present after treatment in sections 106, 110, 114 and 118 of system 100 may be removed in cold box section 122 and sent, in either gas or liquid form, via flue, or conduit/pipe, 130 back to compression section 114 for removal and conversion to a liquid-based acidic waste stream. If in gaseous form, this acidic waste stream can then be converted into liquid form and sent via conduit/pipe 128 to at least one of the SOx scrubbers upstream in flue gas treatment section 106, as described in detail above.
As would be apparent to those of skill in the art oxy-combustion system 100 of
Regarding system 100, it should be noted that the recycling of the acid wastes generated by such process typically do not occur until after oxy-combustion has been achieved. As is known to those of skill in the art, during start-up the combustion process may not be considered oxy-combustion. This is because the oxy-combustion process can be started using air and transitioned to oxy-combustion thereafter. In this case it takes some time to generate sufficient flue gas to be recycled in order to displace the air in the combustion process with nearly pure oxygen so as to eliminate the nitrogen and other components of ambient air, thereby achieving continuous oxy-combustion. Accordingly, in one embodiment prior to achieving steady-state oxy-combustion, the liquid-based acid waste stream generated by compression section 114 may be so small, or non-existent, that recycling to the one or more scrubbers of section 106 is either impractical, impossible or unnecessary. In another embodiment, if so desired recycling of any liquid-based acid waste stream from compression section 114 can be recycled to the one or more scrubbers of section 106 regardless of the type of the combustion occurring upstream.
Turning to
Turning to
Turning to
Regarding the various embodiments of the present invention as represented in
The following example is non-limiting in nature and is based upon the flue gas stream that would be generated by a 700 MWe oxy-combustion power plant that is being fueled with low sulfur coal (e.g., Powder River Basin coal) and utilizing low NOx burners. The composition of the flue gas will be given referencing various components therein and using reference points based on various portions of the embodiment of
While specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application and principles of the invention, it will be understood that it is not intended that the present invention be limited thereto and that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. In some embodiments of the invention, certain features of the invention may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of the other features. Accordingly, all such changes and embodiments properly fall within the scope of the following claims.
Dubettier, Richard, McDonald, Dennis K, Darde, Arthur E O
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